The Museum of Broadcast Communications project began when the state of Illinois asked non-profit organizations to seek funds if they wanted to expand by building something  and creating jobs. In 2005, Gov. Rod Blagojevich promised $8 million to me as MBC founder and president to help build the museum. Based on that promise, construction started in July 2005  the initial stages paid for by millions of dollars the MBC raised from private donations. But the $8 million never came. Blago's staff reduced the commitment to $6 million. That never came. A signed grant agreement with the state for $3 million was discarded, and construction was shut down in May 2006. Portions of the building are now for sale to close the fiscal gap created by that long delay, and additional fundraising continues.

But when Blago was arrested in 2008 and his buddy Senate President Emil Jones retired, two new leaders joined the Springfield team, Pat Quinn and John Cullerton. Each wanted to restore confidence in the state. The MBC project was "shovel ready," a Gold LEED-designed building standing as a half-finished eyesore in downtown Chicago. It was a monument to a broken promise by a corrupt governor.

The state showed courage in making the grant to finish the job. It will put 200 construction workers back on the job, tens of millions of visitors will tour the museum during its lifetime and the MBC will reopen in Chicago despite the bitter and brutal attempts by Blago and his hatchet men to destroy it.

Gov. Quinn and Senate President Cullerton deserve a medal for their integrity and not ridicule from those who do not know or choose to ignore the facts. Scores of roads, bridges and schools are being built in Illinois  and so is one museum. You should be cheering the MBC to the finish line, not slamming its benefactors.

Bruce DuMontFounder, presidentMuseum of Broadcast Communications

No comparison

I am a born-and-bred former Lincoln Park resident ("Plans for Lincoln Park Hospital are creating a firestorm," Taking Names blog, June 1). I grew up when it was Grant Hospital and went to Waller High School (now known as Lincoln Park). I would walk by abandoned buildings to get to school.

Vi Daley can support having this very busy corner keep the neighborhood feel and keeping Oz Park a safe place for younger families and not crowding the area with retail and high-rises. The neighborhood has gone through many transitions since the late '60s. Build more brownstones and attract educated professionals who can bring something to the area to make it the best that it can be, not the most crowded.

Michelle Myers GlowerGrand Rapids, Mich.

Let healthy banks be

This is not the time to force healthy banks to raise more capital ("Local banks push back against feds' controversial industry overhaul provision," Crain's, June 7). Trust Preferred's capital has been an acceptable form of capital for years and had nothing to do with the financial crisis. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. should continue to permit this form of capital, at least until the banking crisis is past and when the cost of capital for banks is lower. Banks do not need additional reasons to reduce lending.

This is another example of overreaching by the current Congress and the Obama administration. They say they want more jobs to be created, yet they continue to promote slow-growth policies.

J. Robert LaRueNaperville

Developer will rebuild

I have known Bruce Teitelbaum for a long time and will attest to his character ("North suburban developer in Chapter 7 ranks," ChicagoRealEstateDaily.com, June 9). You will not find anyone with a bigger heart.

Real estate is a capital-intensive business that requires the use of leverage. Developers are required to put everything on the line for each project they build. Without them, we would not have offices, apartments and shopping centers. Bruce was not the cause of the economic meltdown we are in; he is a victim of it. Anyone who has taken risk, including lenders and investors, understands things that are out of your control can go wrong. If you don't understand that, you should just put your money in a bank account.

Donald Trump found himself in the same position during the last real estate recession, and he came back even stronger. I am sure Bruce will do the same.

Ronald MaxLong Grove

WRITE US:Crain's welcomes responses from readers. Letters should be as brief as possible and may be edited. Send letters to Crain's Chicago Business, 360 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60601, or by e-mail to [email protected]. Please include your complete name and the city from which you are writing, as well as a telephone number for fact-checking purposes.